What does the social ecological model primarily explain?

The social ecological model primarily explains the occurrence of sexual and intimate partner violence by examining the various interconnected layers of influence that shape an individual's behavior and experiences. This model emphasizes that individual factors are impacted by relationships, community, and societal norms, creating a framework that recognizes the complexity of violence.

Within this model, individual characteristics, such as knowledge and attitudes, are only one part of a larger system that includes relationship factors, such as peer influences and family dynamics, community factors like social norms and community cohesion, and societal factors encompassing policies and cultural norms. By using this comprehensive approach, the model helps in understanding how different levels of influence contribute to the risk and prevention of sexual and intimate partner violence, thus guiding effective intervention strategies.

Other options, while relevant to discussions of violence and crime, do not encapsulate the broader, multi-layered perspective that the social ecological model provides. They focus more narrowly on legal or individual aspects rather than the holistic understanding of contextual influences on behavior.